Anthony Geary’s husband, Claudio Gama, makes a shocking statement about the death of the General Hospital star: “It was going to be like this.”

The husband of the late General Hospital icon Anthony Geary has broken his silence on his spouse’s heartbreaking passing.

Geary passed away on Sunday, December 14 in Amsterdam at the age of 78 – three days after undergoing an operation. His husband, Claudio Gama, confirmed the late star’s death in a statement to TV Insider.

Gama took to Instagram on Monday to pen an emotional tribute to the actor after saying ‘our last goodbyes.’

‘Greetings to all from Amsterdam today we said our last goodbyes to Tony,’ Gama penned, adding, ‘he is now resting up where the stars shine bright he will always be missed.

‘His love his life his art speaks for itself me Max and the family would like to thank all of Tony’s friends and colleagues for the wonderful support and respect you have shown Tony.’

Gama also gave a special shout out to the love and support from fans since the news of Geary’s death came to light.

‘He always told me everything he did as an actor as an artist was for his fans without your love and support he would have never reached the heights he did in his career,’ Gama continued.

‘Acting was his passion as was dancing singing drink cola payday candy bars and cats he loved his country and his second home of Amsterdam thank you all. Rest in Peace our Tony. Stay warm safe and healthy.’

A black and white image of Geary in the past could be seen, while their cat Max sat in front of the photo at one point.

Geary and Gama married six years ago and had been in a relationship for 30 years. The couple had resided together in Amsterdam with their beloved cat.

Back in 2003, the actor had reflected on his life in the Netherlands city with Gama during an interview with Soap Opera Digest.

‘I live in the city [Amsterdam] that I’ve always wanted to live in my whole life and I have somebody who loves me and I have a life now, that I didn’t have before, no matter how many fan letters or Emmys or how many pages of dialogue to learn.’

Geary added at the time, ‘I didn’t have what I have now. So, everything happened at the right time, I guess.’

The actor was known for his portrayal of Luke Spencer on General Hospital from 1978 until his exit in 1982.

He then reprised his role of Luke in 1993 until his departure from the series in 2015. The late star also made a guest cameo appearance during an episode which aired in 2017.

He also garnered a number of accolades for his performance on General Hospital, including eight Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

Geary passed away on Sunday, December 14 in Amsterdam following an operation three days earlier.

His death was confirmed by his husband Claudio Gama to TV Insider in a statement which read: ‘It was a shock for me and our families and our friends. For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband.’

The actor became a huge star in the late 1970s and early 1980s when he played Luke opposite Genie Francis’s Laura on the long-running soap opera.

They were coined a ‘supercouple’ at the time and were responsible for massive ratings for the program. Their characters’ 1981 wedding saw 30 million viewers.

Francis also penned a heartbreaking tribute to Geary after his shock death.

The star said on Facebook that she ‘woke up and went into my husband’s arms’ after her life ‘was flashing before me and I was afraid of death’ in her sleep.

She then received a phone call from General Hospital executive producer, Frank Valentini, telling her that Geary died.

‘I immediately felt remorse, I hadn’t spoken to him in years, but I felt his life end in my sleep last night, and with it a big part of me, and mine,’ Francis wrote.

‘He was a powerhouse as an actor. Shoulder to shoulder with the greats. No star burned brighter than Tony Geary. He was one of a kind.’

She added, ‘As an artist, he was filled with a passion for the truth, no matter how blunt, or even a little rude it might be, but always hilariously funny. He was the anti-hero, always so irreverent, but even the most conservative had to smile.’

She added that working with Geary was ‘always exciting,’ adding ‘you never knew what might happen.’

‘He spoiled me for leading men for the rest of my life,’ she wrote. ‘I am crushed, I will miss him terribly, but I was so lucky to be his partner. Somehow, somewhere, we are connected to each other because I felt him leave last night. Good night sweet prince, good night.’

John Stamos also shared an emotional tribute last week to honor his late ‘friend’ Geary while reflecting on the ‘one of a kind’ actor and how he ‘changed’ his life.

The Full House alum had additionally taken on the role of Blackie Parrish in General Hospital from 1982 until 1984.

In the early 1970s, Geary landed supporting roles on TV shows including All in the Family, The Partridge Family, Marcus Welby, MD and The Mod Squad.

He made his debut as Luke on General Hospital in 1978. Geary was originally only supposed to be on the show for 13 weeks, but fans took to his character.

He continued to work long after General Hospital.

The star appeared in Agony, Do You Know the Muffin Man?, The Disorderlies, You Can’t Hurry Love, Crack House, Weird Al Yankovic’s UHF, Scorchers, Night of the Warrior and Carpool Guy.

During his final interview in 2023, which was with Digest, the actor said he was happy with his career.

‘Not being on the show after having been on it for 30-plus years, practically half my life, I have a feeling of satisfaction because I did it, I showed up, I did my work, I won some trophies, I enjoyed the people I worked with for the most part and I feel I got out in time,’ Geary shared.

‘I look back on it and it’s great and it gave me this wonderful life I have now, so I’m not going to complain.’